Tierra Crockwell Running, Jumping and Throwing.. The More The Better

Tierra Crockrell, an eight year old track phenom from University Place, Washington runs with Seattle Speed. Thanks to the Crockwell family for sharing this  great youth track story.

Written by Tricia Crockwell

 Tierra is an outstanding track athlete who in the past year has reached many accomplishments as an eight year old that some may not accomplish in their lifetime. 

  She is an 8 time National Champion and hold national records in Track & Field.  She is the 2009 AAU Primary National Champion in the 100m.  She is the 2010 AAU Great Lakes Indoor National Champion in the multi-event, 55m dash, 200m and long jump; and the 2010 AAU Northern Indoor National Champion in the multi-event, high jump and long jump. 

On February 19-21, 2010, Tierra participated in the AAU Northern Indoor Track & Field National Championships in Bloomington, Illinois.  Tierra received a gold medal in the multi-event which consists of the 200m (32.53); high jump (3-10.75) and shot put (18-5.0).  In the individual events she received a gold medal in the high jump (3-10.00)N; gold in the long jump (11-10.25)N and bronze in the 55m (8.61). 

On February 12-14, 2010, Tierra participated in the AAU Great Lakes Indoor Track & Field National Championships in Geneva, Ohio.  Tierra received 4 gold medals and holds 4 national records in each of the events she participated in.  She received a gold medal in the multi-event:  200m (31.40); high jump (3-9.25); shot put (16-11.50)N.  In the individual events she received a gold in the 55m (8.62)N; gold in 200m (32.02)N and gold in the long jump (12-01.75)N. 

Tierra’s High Jump mark of 3′-10″this past weekend would have been good enough to win the gold medal at last year’s AAU Jr. Olympic Games in the 9 year old age division. The national record for 9 yr olds is 4′-2″.  Tierra’s coach, Coach Mike Cunliffe (Head Coach of the Seattle Speed Track Club) had this to say about “Tete”; “our club has multiple national medalists and national champions but only 2 athletes have won double gold at the national championships. Tierra has the opportunity to win 3 golds.”  Our club has national level youth athletes from the US, Haiti, Kenya, France and the Philippine’s and I can say without a doubt there is not a better 9 yr old and under T&F athlete in this state and probably in the country.  As the medals prove she is by far the best T&F talent the City of Tacoma has produced in my opinion since Darrell Robinson in the early eighties. Tete has a competitive drive and is great athlete to coach. 

Last year at the national meet she was in seventh place with only one jump left and could have been satisfied with a 7^th place medal; instead she attacked even harder on her last jump and moved up five spots to place 2^nd. This is a big time move for an 8 year old; stepping up on the nation’s biggest stage with only one jump left.  She has great strength of will to go with her talent. “ 

 Last year at the 2009 AAU Junior Olympic Nationals in Des Moines, Iowa,  Tierra took 6^th in the 100m (14.91) and 200m (32.22 – season best 30.66), and 2^nd in the long jump (12-8.50).  Coach Mike said he knows many athletes that attempt an entire T&F career and never get a national medal of any kind; let alone in their first year to collect 3 and open their second season with 7 medals (6 national indoor titles) and multiple national records.   At the First Annual 2009 AAU Primary National Championships in Orlando, Florida last July, she received a gold medal in the 100m (14.74)N; silver medal in the 200m (30.66) and a silver medal in the long jump (10-10.50). 

Tierra would like to thank a few of her sponsors who have helped her along the way … her grandmother Zelodius Crockrell, her grandparents Dennis & Karen Yue from Hawaii, Joanne Jackson from Las Vegas, Deborah Brown Tuggle, Romeo Antonio and Tacoma attorneys Jack Connelly and Thad Martin. 

Below are just a few of Tierra’s accomplishments and results.  The following links will get you to the results pages and articles:

2010 AAU Northern Indoor Track & Field National Championships, Bloomington, Illinois , February 19-21, 2010

http://www.adkinstrak.com/AAUIndoor/index.htm

2010 AAU Great Lakes Indoor Track & Field National Championships, Geneva, Ohio February 12 – 14, 2010

http://image.aausports.org/sports/athletics/pdfs/2010/PerformanceList_GreatLakes.pdf

2009 AAU Junior Olympic Nationals, Des Moines, Iowa, July 31 – August 7, 2009

http://aauathletics.org/results/2009/jogames/daily/completeResults.htm

AAU National Qualifier – Region 17

http://www.aauresults.org/athletics/pdf/2009/20091248055067.htm

Tacoma Weekly

http://www.tacomaweekly.com/article/3301

1^st Annual 2009 AAU Primary National Championships – July 4 – 5, 2009

http://www.aauathletics.org/results/2009/primary/primarygirlsfinalResults.htm

Portland Track Festival – June 13, 2009

http://news.youthrunner.com/news/story/portland-track-festival-the-story

25^th Annual LA Jets Invitational – May 23 – 24, 2009

http://www.ecomallbiz.com/lajets/nss-folder/meetresults/LAJets2009_Results.htm

45^th Annual Phoenix Invitational – April 4 – 5, 2009

http://www.usatf.org/assoc/az/results/090404-PI.htm